Galvanic Cells and Electrode Potential
A galvanic cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy, with cell potential equal to the cathode potential minus the anode potential.
What is Galvanic Cells and Electrode Potential?
A galvanic cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy, with cell potential equal to the cathode potential minus the anode potential.
Key formula / rule: Oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction at the cathode.
Key points
- Compute the standard cell potential from electrode potentials.
- Apply the Nernst equation to non-standard conditions.
Common exam trap
Adding electrode potentials instead of subtracting.
Definitions
- Term
Galvanic Cells and Electrode Potential
- Meaning
A galvanic cell converts chemical energy to electrical energy, with cell potential equal to the cathode potential minus the anode potential.
- Term
Galvanic Cells and Electrode Potential — explanation
- Meaning
Standard electrode potentials rank species by their tendency to be reduced, so the sign of the cell potential predicts feasibility. The Nernst equation extends this to non-standard concentrations.
Learning objectives
Compute the standard cell potential from electrode potentials.
Apply the Nernst equation to non-standard conditions.
Formulae
- Key point
Oxidation occurs at the anode and reduction at the cathode.
- Key point
E(cell) = E(cathode) - E(anode) using reduction potentials.
- Key point
The Nernst equation corrects the potential for concentration.
Prerequisites
CHE-U1-TH-T2-S1-C3
Common mistakes
Adding electrode potentials instead of subtracting.
Multiplying an electrode potential when balancing electrons.
Keywords
Galvanic
Cells
Electrode
Potential
Practice preview
In a galvanic cell, electrons flow from which electrode to which electrode in the external circuit?…
easy
Consider the following standard reduction potentials: Ag+(aq) + e- → Ag(s) ; E° = +0.80 V Fe2+(aq) + 2e- → Fe(s) ; E° = -0.44 V Which statement is INCORRECT regarding a galvanic cell constructed from these two half-cells…
medium
For a galvanic cell, if the concentration of the reactant ions at the cathode is increased, how will the cell potential (Ecell) change?…
medium